Romans 9 17

Romans 9:17 kjv

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Romans 9:17 nkjv

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."

Romans 9:17 niv

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Romans 9:17 esv

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Romans 9:17 nlt

For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth."

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 17 Meaning

Romans 9:17 clarifies God's sovereign dealings with humanity, particularly concerning those who oppose Him. Citing Exodus 9:16, Paul asserts that God, in His ultimate wisdom and power, raised up Pharaoh not merely for judgment, but for a specific redemptive-historical purpose: to demonstrate His immense power and ensure that His divine name and character would be broadcast across the entire world. Pharaoh's existence and persistent rebellion became the canvas for God's dramatic and undeniable self-revelation.

Romans 9 17 Context

Romans 9:17 is embedded within Paul's theological defense of God's righteousness and faithfulness despite Israel's widespread rejection of Christ (Rom 9:1-5). Paul establishes that God's promises are not based on ethnic descent alone but on His sovereign choice, citing examples like Isaac over Ishmael, and Jacob over Esau. This leads to the critical question in verse 14, "Is there injustice on God's part?" Paul unequivocally denies this, buttressing his argument with Old Testament examples. Verse 17 directly follows God's declaration in Exodus 33:19 regarding His mercy ("I will have mercy on whom I have mercy") and then presents the inverse, yet equally sovereign, action towards Pharaoh as an illustration of God's prerogative to harden, not for caprice, but for a global demonstration of His power and glory. Historically, the audience would have been aware of the Exodus narrative and the figure of Pharaoh, who personified obstinate rebellion against God, providing a stark contrast to those receiving mercy. Paul employs Pharaoh's case as a clear example of God's active involvement in human affairs, including enabling wickedness to persist for a higher, redemptive purpose.

Romans 9 17 Word analysis

• For the Scripture says: This phrase (Greek: graphē legē) signifies Paul's reliance on divine authority, quoting directly from Exod 9:16 (LXX). It underlines the binding and authoritative nature of God's revealed word, acting as undeniable evidence in Paul's argument.
• to Pharaoh: Pharaoh (Greek: Pharaō) is not merely an ancient historical figure, but in this context, represents the pinnacle of human opposition to God's will. He embodies pride, self-deification, and stubborn rebellion, serving as a powerful anti-type to God's chosen people and His mercy.
• For this very purpose: This phrase (Greek: eis auto touto) emphasizes intentionality and a precise, ultimate goal. God did not act whimsically but with a defined, singular objective in His dealing with Pharaoh. It implies divine planning before and throughout the Exodus events.
• I have raised you up: The Greek exēgeira se ("I brought you forth," "I caused you to stand") refers to God's active role in establishing Pharaoh in his position of power and sustaining him through multiple opportunities for repentance and destruction. Instead of obliterating him, God preserved Pharaoh for a specific part in His redemptive drama, controlling his destiny even in his wickedness. It's a statement of divine enablement and superintendence over human actions, even hostile ones.
• that I might show my power in you: (Greek: endeixōmai tēn dynamín mou) The purpose clause (indicated by hina in Greek, 'that I might show') highlights the demonstration of God's inherent might and sovereignty. Pharaoh's hardened resistance amplified the miraculous nature of each plague, revealing that the victory was solely God's, a display unparalleled by any human or alleged divine force in Egypt.
• and that my name might be proclaimed: (Greek: kai hina diagellē to onoma mou) God's "name" represents His character, attributes, reputation, and manifest presence. It is His unique identity. The Exodus narrative was specifically designed not just for Israel's deliverance but for the global publication (diagellē) of who God truly is—almighty, righteous, and sovereign over all creation and rulers. This goes beyond the borders of Egypt and Israel.
• in all the earth: (Greek: en pasē tē gē) This refers to the entire inhabited world or, more restrictively in its immediate Exodus context, the entire region and nations connected to Egypt and Israel. In Paul's expanded theological view, it points to the universal scope of God's revelation and plan, signifying His global mission and desire for all humanity to acknowledge Him.

Words-group by words-group analysis data:

• "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose...": Paul introduces the direct divine statement from the Exodus narrative, not as mere history, but as eternal truth applicable to God's character and ongoing sovereign actions. It underscores the purposeful design behind God's interactions with even His adversaries.
• "I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you...": This directly attributes Pharaoh's very existence in power, and his role in the Exodus, to God's active, intentional providence. It refutes any notion of chance or Pharaoh's independent control, positioning Pharaoh as a necessary instrument for the amplification of God's own majesty.
• "...and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.": This highlights the ultimate, overarching goal: not mere judgment for its own sake, but the universal dissemination of God's renown. The Exodus served as a paradigmatic event, testifying to God's singular identity and authority to a world that often attributed power to local deities or human kings.

Romans 9 17 Bonus section

The Hebrew word often translated "hardened" (e.g., chazaq, kaved, qashah) implies not just making rigid, but also strengthening or making firm. In Exodus, Pharaoh's heart is both hardened by God and by himself. Romans 9:17 emphasizes God's sovereign control over the outcome, clarifying that Pharaoh's own will was encompassed within God's larger design for self-revelation. The Greek Septuagint's use of exēgeira (raised up/stood up) in Exodus 9:16 (which Paul quotes) for what the Hebrew text more literally conveys as 'I kept you standing/preserved you,' further emphasizes that God allowed Pharaoh to continue in defiance specifically to facilitate the fuller unfolding of His divine drama, rather than immediate destruction. This specific linguistic choice underscores God's active rather than passive role in sustaining Pharaoh's opposition for a salvific purpose beyond mere punishment.

Romans 9 17 Commentary

Romans 9:17 serves as a powerful biblical linchpin for understanding divine sovereignty in the face of human rebellion. Paul strategically quotes from the Exodus narrative to illustrate that God's justice is not an injustice, but an expression of His ultimate authority. God's act of "raising up" Pharaoh does not imply a passive allowance but an active enablement and preservation of Pharaoh for a grander design. God deliberately chose to showcase His power through Pharaoh's persistent obstinacy, amplifying the magnitude of His miracles. The aim was not simply to punish Pharaoh but to ensure the proclamation of His singular "name"—His entire self-revelation—across the earth, becoming a universal testimony. This event fundamentally established God's uniqueness and unmatched dominion over all nations and their rulers. Pharaoh's wickedness thus paradoxically became the stage for God's glory, underscoring that even the resistance of the wicked ultimately serves God's eternal purposes. This perspective challenges human-centric notions of justice and control, asserting God's prerogative to use all things, good and evil, to bring about His global glorification.